Follow R29's Lucie Fink as she dives headfirst into social experiments — five days at a time.
I am a total journaling novice. Sure, I kept a diary when I was little — I wrote about which boy’s hand I held that day, and what my brother and his friends were up to as I spied on them in the backyard. Nonsense, really.
But as I grew up, my journals were gradually replaced with cell phones, and my dream of becoming Harriet The Spy slowly faded away. The thought of keeping a diary as an adult didn’t cross my mind until one of my YouTube fans suggested I try five days of journaling.
After doing some digging, I discovered just how much research has been published about the benefits of journaling. Some sources even suggest that it can have a positive impact on your physical health in addition to your mental well-being.
This week, I committed to journaling for at least 10 minutes a day. After just one single session left me feeling physically different, I took a deeper dive and even started logging my dreams (wait until you see what I dreamed about this week).
Watch my experience unfold, and then try it for yourself!
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Can't get enough of Gilmore Girls? Well, at least now you won't have to wait until the revival comes out to be reminded of the show's beloved setting and characters. Stars Hollow Monthly, a new subscription-based box, will send you Gilmore Girls merchandise every month, Hello Giggles reported.
The box comes from Lit-Cube, which creates themed subscription boxes. In April, it announced over Instagram that it was starting one entirely dedicated to the series. The first edition included a Luke's mug.
You can get one for $29.95 or subscribe to Stars Hollow Monthly for $29.95 per month. TBH, there's not much we wouldn't pay to alleviate the suspense of waiting for the show's Netflix revival.
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While you were sunning yourself, sipping on rosé, and celebrating America's birthday, designer April Liang was busy launching YSTR, a new womenswear label whose mission is to combine inspiration and knowledge from the past, present, and future into clothes you'll love — with honest pricing and zero waste to boot. You know how they say if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is? Here, that's definitely not the case.
Calling itself the antagonist to the typical fashion retailer, YSTR's pieces are designed and manufactured in downtown Los Angeles using a cut-to-order system that eradicates wasted inventory and minimizes the company's carbon footprint, in addition to using limited fabric runs, which eliminates the chance of any going unused. "This system ensures that we only create what is needed based on our customers’ orders, so we don’t hold excess inventory or use any materials that we can’t guarantee will be sold and used," Liang, the company's cofounder and head of production, tells Refinery29.
And really, the eco-minded focus is only a bonus to its already highly covetable debut collection, which includes everything from easy, throw-on-and go dresses and jumpsuits to fun prints and pretty blouses. And, did we mention the most expensive items barely brush $200? With new products rolling out on a monthly basis, there will be plenty to shop as the seasons change. Ahead, see the summer pieces that have the ease of Reformation with the of-the-momentness of Zara — a combination that is practically a dream come true.
It's been over 10 years since Mean Girls came out, but that hasn't stopped any of us from making references to movie. And though Amanda Seyfried has gone on to do many more movies, time hasn't stopped her from remembering where she got her start, either. Today, she posted a still from the film to Instagram with the caption, "Tbt! 13 years ago I shot my first scene in my first movie. I'm back in Toronto with some of the same fine folks who helped me through it. #imamouseduh."
The photo shows her character Karen's weather forecast, in which she famously feels her breasts to determine whether or not it's "already raining." The hashtag, though, refers to her Halloween getup, which includes nothing but lingerie and mouse ears.
Long live the Plastics.
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Remember when TV couples slept in twin beds and everyone pretty much assumed that Little Ricky was the product of some immaculate conception? Remember when you could watch a show and not worry about a parent or nephew walking in on you? Remember when David Caruso's bare buns on NYPD Blue was as steamy as it got, which is to say, not steamy at all?
Now you don't even need cable to see your favorite TV characters doing the deed, though it certainly doesn't hurt. Viola Davis is pulling out her back. Merkin sales must fly through the roof when Outlander is filming. Frank and Claire Underwood are having threesomes and Remy Danton is a cunning linguist. Thanks to Broad City, "pegging" has entered the mainstream lexicon.
It's hard to play favorites, especially when so much of the good stuff isn't available on YouTube, but these small-screen sex scenes stand out from the rest. Was it good for you?
Karen's Fantasy Threesome, Mistresses
It's very, very difficult to lead a group marriage counseling session when all you can think about is the hot threesome you'd rather be in.
Jimmy, Gretchen, & Megan, You're The Worst
Things are really steamy in this threesome until Jimmy ruins it all, living up to the premise of this show.
Belle & Her Favorite Client,The Secret Diary of a Call Girl
There's a lot of sex in this series about the life of a call girl, but most of it is not terribly sexy. When Belle is reminiscing about a meeting with her favorite client, however, things get really, really hot.
Eddie & Sarah,The Path
This is what hot, married sex looks like. Eddie and Sarah are constantly negotiating their differences, but they often resolve their problems with amazing sex. Frequently in the kitchen.
Pictured: Aaron Paul and Michelle Monaghan in The Path.
Photo: Courtesy of Hulu.
Ali & Emily,Pretty Little Liars
Emison is born with one hot kiss under the covers, while a longing version of "I'll Be Watching You" plays in the background — sexy and mysterious.
Jessica Jones & Luke Cage, Jessica Jones
When two superheroes get carnal, everything around them gets destroyed. It's supersex.
Danny & Alex, London Spy
Ben Whishaw and Edward Holcroft steam up the screens in this British spy drama. The scene drew some viewer complaints, but they weren't from us.
Video: Courtesy of BBC.
Chuck & Blair, Gossip Girl
This limo scene started one of the greatest relationships of our time. #Chair forever.
Pictured: Kit Harington and Rose Leslie in Game of Thrones
Photo: Courtesy of HBO.
Kate & Sawyer, Lost
It's animalistic and hot, except you can't help but wonder how Kate's armpits are still hairless when she's been imprisoned on a deserted island for so long.
Video: Courtesy of ABC.
Connor & Paxton, How To Get Away With Murder
"He did this thing to my ass that made my eyes water," Pax said after their copy room hookup.
Pictured: Natasha Lyonne and Yael Stone in Orange Is the New Black
Photo: Courtesy of Netflix.
Libby & Robert, Masters of Sex
One second, they're discussing the roles to which society confines them, the next, they’re making rapturous love on the kitchen floor.
Pictured: Caitlin Fitzgerald and Jocko Sims in Masters of Sex
Photo: Courtesy of Showtime.
Olivia & Fitz, Scandal
Let's be honest: There were a lot of scenes to showcase from Scandal, because Olivia and Fitz's chemistry is off the charts. There was that time on the campaign trail, "If you want me, earn me," and the cabin in Vermont. We're choosing the phone sex, though, because how often do you witness truly hot phone sex on TV?
Video: Courtesy of ABC.
Alisha & Future Simon, Misfits
Do Brits do TV sex better? A very important case study.
Video: Courtesy of E4.
Kalinda & Lana, The Good Wife
Kalinda employs a creative manipulation technique here. Alas, the uncooperative Lana is left with some proverbial blue balls.
Video: Courtesy of CBS.
Sons of Anarchy, "Fucktage"
Almost every member of the SAMCRO gang is getting it on in the explicit opening montage of an episode called "Faith and Despondency." Also note Wendy engaging in some battery-operated self-loving.
Pictured: Charlie Hunnam in Sons of Anarchy
Photo: Courtesy of FX.
Marnie & Desi, Girls
It's nice to see Marnie trying new things.
Pictured: Ebon Moss-Bachrach and Allison Williams in Girls
Photo: Courtesy of HBO.
Noah & Alison, The Affair
Four episodes in, we finally get to see the titular affair. It does not disappoint.
Pictured: Dominic West and Ruth Wilson in The Affair
Photo: Courtesy of Showtime.
Charlotte & Harry, Sex and the City
She can't believe he'd find her sexy in her glasses. The bachelor pad in which he's squatting is repulsive. Neither of things matter because it's on.
Video: Courtesy of HBO.
Jamie & Claire, Outlander
She’s conflicted because of her overwhelming attraction to the young Scot and the fact that she’s technically married to someone else in the 20th century. He’s nervous because he’s a virgin. They figure it out in no time flat on their wedding night.
Photo: Courtesy of Starz.
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Mere months ago, if you’d asked us to reach for our most outlandish lip color, we might’ve whipped out a hot pink or super-bright red. But, today, we’re well acquainted (and entirely infatuated) with lippies across the color spectrum: yellow, purple, blue — you name it.
So, imagine our delight in discovering we could embrace our newfound love of statement-making color in a fresh way by swapping out our rosy-hued blush in favor of unapologetically unnatural shades like lilac, orange, and rust. Sound like a clown costume in the making? Not so. With proper application, colorful blush can result in a seriously standout glow. And, to show you how, we called on makeup artist Elisa Flowers for some expert pointers. Ahead, check out her tips for choosing and using boundary-breaking blush.
Bronze
It may not be your first instinct to use your bronzer as a blush, but a light layer on the apples of your cheeks can actually give you a lovely lit-from-within glow.
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Bronzer, $50, available at Sephora.
Green
Okay, hear us out — this blush doesn't actually turn your cheeks green. (Thankfully.) When you swipe on Lipstick Queen's Frog Prince blush, it adapts to become your own shade of rosy pink.
Lipstick Queen Frog Prince Cream Blush, $24, available at Lipstick Queen.
Hot Pink
If you have a darker complexion, raid the hot pink blush aisle. A blush with a bold hue will always do the trick, and hot pink is just oh-so-fun no matter the season. Just remember that powder blush should always be applied in layers, so you can test just how bold you want to go.
Smashbox Blush Rush in Radiance, $24, available at Macys.
Wine
A wine-hued blush is actually a great pick-me-up for medium to dark skin tones, and this one from Maybelline has a sheer finish, so you can build on it without the fear of looking like a clown. The dark hue is perfect for the cooler months, but apply sparingly at first and build on it.
Maybelline Fit Me! Blush in Deep Wine, $5.99, available at CVS.
Copper
Dark, copper-hued blushes scare many ladies away, but for those with dark skin tones a dark blush hue is actually a great option. You want a blush with a strong pigment, like a creamy, copper tone, so that the “flush” on your cheek is picked up.
Clinique Blushwear Cream Stick in Shy Blush, $22, available at Clinique.
Plum
It's a good rule of thumb to use dark shades like plum to sculpt your cheekbones. It’s a bit more modern and graphic this way, and less about dabbing it right on the apples of your cheeks (which could end up looking clownish with dark colors).
Butter London Ruby Murray Cream Blush, $20, available at Butter London.
Creamsicle
A creamsicle blush is actually a great option for fair-skinned redheads – and is often overlooked. This sheer tint can be used on the lips and the cheeks to add a natural sun-kissed glow – and looks especially great if you have yellow undertones to your skin.
Chosungah 22 So Tiny Lip & Cheek Face Color in Pastel Peach, $14, available at Sephora.
Hot Coral
Coral has become a common color in makeup shades, but bright, pink-y corals can be intimidating. To pull off the look, remember that it actually works on a variety of skin tones, from olive to dark, so don’t shy away. Also, if you’re feeling bold, pair it with a pink or coral lip in the same family.
Bobbi Brown Blush in Pink Coral, $28, available at Macy's.
Brown
A brown blush may seem like an oddity when you’re trying to bring a flush to your cheeks, but this tawny shade is actually the easiest way to bring out your cheekbones. Apply along your jawline, blending well, and layer with a soft highlight and lighter blush shade to finish.
Urban Decay Afterglow 8-Hour Powder Blush in Video, $26, available at Urban Decay.
Fuchsia
Flowers is a fan of fuchsia for those with cool undertones. Remember: A little goes a long way with this nearly neon shade, so a light-handed application is incredibly important. Flowers suggests using a blush brush to apply the color sparingly to the apples of the cheeks for a "shocking-yet-subtle flush."
Sleek, $5.49, available at AmazonPhoto: Via Sleek.
Orange
Turns out our favorite lip hue translates well on our cheeks, too: Orange blush is anything but Oompa Loompa-like when applied with proper technique. Swept across the eyelids and lower-mid cheekbones, this sunny shade gives a healthy, all-over glow. Flowers finds orange jibes best with warm, olive complexions.
Make Up For Ever, $21.00, available at SephoraPhoto: Via Make Up For Ever.
White
White blush is a major overachiever. Not only does it enhance the overall luminosity of already-pale skin, but it works as a soft, buildable highlighter on all skin tones. Both foundation brushes and fingertips work just fine for this particular formula; the key here is in the placement. Blend in anywhere you'd use a highlighter, including the cheek- and browbones, advises Flowers.
Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics, $20.00, available at Obsessive Compulsive CosmeticsPhoto: Via Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics.
Lilac highlighters look gorgeous when brushed lightly onto the apples of the cheeks. The soft color offers a subtle radiance while giving any hue underneath a little boost.
Revolution Highlighter Pink Lights, $4.03, available at Revolution.
Lilac
Fair-skinned with cool undertones? Lilac blush just might be your new best friend. "A slightly frosty purple blush is perfect when swirled onto cheeks," says Flowers. "It exudes an innocent radiance." Blend, blend, blend for a luminous, lit-from-within glow.
MAC Powder Blush in Full of Joy, $22, available at Nordstrom.
Photo: Via MAC.
Lavender
Those with deeper skin tones will love this pumped-up purple as an alternative to frosty lilac. Again, to steer clear of Sugar Plum Fairy territory, just be sure to blend.
ColourPop Super Shock Cheek in Rain, $8, available at ColourPop.
Rust
Rust-colored blush may look daunting in the pan, but according to Flowers, it's actually the perfect product for achieving a warm, natural contour. Especially on olive skin, the depth of color creates a subtle but still noticeable flush, she says. Apply with a tapered brush in the hollows of the cheeks.
Illamasqua, $26.00, available at Bloomingdale'sPhoto: Via Illamasqua.
Bright Red
We won't sugarcoat it: When using bright-red blush, there's definite potential for disaster. But, with both practice and patience, you can achieve a healthy, ultra-natural-looking flush. (Because, admittedly, no one turns fuchsia when they're embarrassed.) "Dab a blush brush lightly onto the product, slowly building onto skin to up the intensity," cautions Flowers, who's partial to this shade for those with warm skin tones.
Nars Blush In Exhibit A, $30, available at Sephora.
Photo: Via Nars.
Gray
Though Chanel's Notorious may be the holy grail of gray blushes (it's currently selling for $300 on eBay), Nyx's Taupe also has a cult following — and for good reason. This relatively dark, muted hue is ideal for creating "a subtle and discreet contour that's more sophisticated, less punk," says Flowers. Applied with a kabuki brush in the hollows of the cheeks, this shadowy hue can do wonders for those with cool undertones.
NYX Cosmetics, $5.00, available at Nyx CosmeticsPhoto: Via NYX.
Greige
With so many neutral blushes to choose from, which can be great for adding contour to your cheekbones, the “greige” color category can be daunting because of it’s cooler cast. Don’t be afraid though, this color is a good juxtaposition to add depth to – and faux model-worthy cheekbones – to your face.
Dolce & Gabbana The Blush Luminous Cheek Colour in Tan, $47, available at Sephora.
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For a long time, it seemed like maybe Liane Moriarty and Stephen King had cornered the modern market on the suspense-fiction genre. But no more: These days, there are plenty of psychological thrillers to pick from — many of them more sinister and more spine-chilling than Big Little Lies or even The Shining. Not that we're knocking either of those authors. It's just that there are so many stories to choose from, which you already know if you, like millions of other readers, rapidly inhaled novels like Gone Girl and The Girl on the Train over the last few years.
Here's the thing about suspense thrillers, though: Once you've reached the end and all the secrets have spilled out, it's not always fun to go back and read them again. You need new mysteries to unravel — new plotlines and characters to make the hair on your neck stand on end.
Luckily, there is no shortage of these sorts of books. We've pulled together some of our favorites (and by favorites, we mean the ones that freaked us out most) that should get you through the summer, at least. And if you rip through 'em all, no worries: We'll be adding more psychological suspense titles as time goes on. If we know anything about these books, its that they attract voracious readers always in need of a new literary fix.
The Woman in Cabin 10
By Ruth Ware
Out July 19, 2016
Lo Blacklock is a travel writer whose latest assignment lands her on a luxury cruise line in the North Sea. At first, the trip is a dream — but the longer she's on the boat, the more it begins to seem like a nightmare. When a woman goes overboard one stormy night, it becomes clear that something dangerous is afoot. Especially when it turns out that all the passengers have been accounted for, and so the ship sails on without a second thought.
Image: Gallery/Scout Press.
All the Missing Girls
By Megan Miranda
Released June 28, 2016
Nic Farrell returns to her hometown to deal with some family affairs, but she never imagined that she'd be forced to relive the same nightmare that drove her away 10 years ago, when her best friend disappeared without a trace.
Now that she's back, another girl has gone missing. And as this page-turner presses forth, it becomes clear that maybe Nic knows more about what happened than she feels safe sharing. Fast-paced and frightening, All the Missing Girls will teach you why it's dangerous to go into the woods alone at night.
By now, you probably have some inkling of what this best-selling mystery is about. (There was only so long anyone could hold out before watching the movie, right?) But just in case...
Harriet Vanger is a member of one of Sweden's wealthiest families — but she's been missing for nearly half a century. Her uncle decides to investigate her disappearance, hiring journalist Mikael Blomkvist and his punk-prodigy assistant Lisbeth Salander to unearth the truth. But what they find is far more than anyone involved bargained for.
Image: Vintage Crime/Black Lizard.
Strangers on a Train
By Patricia Highsmith
Released in 1950
Brought to you by the same author behind Carol, Strangers on a Train is the tale of two men who meet in a train car and agree to "trade" murders, so that neither will be a suspect in the death of their intended victim's death. Brilliantly plotted and hair-raising, this is an oldie but still one of the best. (And if you like it, we would highly recommend getting into all of Highsmith's other novels, The Talented Mr. Ripley among them.)
Image: Bantam.
The Good Girl
By Mary Kubica
Released in 2015
Mia Dennett walks into a bar one night to meet her on-again, off-again boyfriend, but he never shows. So instead she makes the decision to leave with a stranger. Their one-night stand is going fine at first — but soon enough it sours, and the stranger kidnaps Mia. But there's much more going on here than a run-of-the-mill abduction: Her captor has an agenda. And the story only gets more terrifying once we realize what it is — and that time is running out.
Image: MIRA.
Sharp Objects
By Gillian Flynn
Released in 2007
There's no better way to recreate the Gone Girl suspense than to go back and reread books by the author who brought us that book. Gillian Flynn has several psychological thrillers under her belt, and this is our second favorite among them.
Sharp Objects tells the story of reporter Camille Preaker, freshly released from a psych ward and on a new assignment: to return to her hometown and cover the murders of two tween girls. But uncovering the mystery behind who killed the girls forces Camille to confront her own family secrets — and inevitably, to fight for her own survival.
Image: Broadway Books.
The Butterfly Garden
By Dot Hutchison
Released June 1, 2016
On the outside, the old, rundown mansion seems sort of romantic — especially when you get a peek at the beautiful garden housed in the expansive space. But look closer and you'll find that, among the flowers, are "butterflies": women who have been captured and tattooed by the Gardener, a twisted man obsessed with ensnaring and preserving his precious beauties.
When the FBI raids the mansion, they find only one survivor, a young woman named Maya who lived to tell the story of what happened at the mansion. But the more secrets unspool, the more it becomes clear that Maya may not be telling the whole truth — and that she might have some secrets of her own to keep buried.
Image: Thomas & Mercer.
Good as Gone
By Amy Gentry
Out July 26, 2016
Julie Whitaker was kidnapped from her childhood bedroom late one night when she was just 13 — and the only witness was her younger sister. Julie's disappearance shattered the family, but they never gave up hope that she was alive.
One night, years later, a young woman who claims to be Julie shows up at the front door. She's welcomed with open arms — except by her mother, who hates to admit that she's not entirely sure that this girl is really her daughter. Partnering with a private eye, she tries to track down the truth. But it's dangerous to seek out secrets you don't really desire to find.
Image: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Before I Go to Sleep
By S.J. Watson
Released in 2012
After a horrible accident, Christine develops amnesia — and every day, she wakes up without knowing anything about her own life. Her husband has been protecting her from the world all this time, but as her memories begin to return, she realizes that there is no one she can trust — and that the only thing that can save her is to remember the truth about what happened the night of the accident.
Image: Harper Paperbacks.
Before the Fall
By Noah Hawley
Released May 31, 2016
One foggy summer night, 11 people depart on a private jet headed from Martha's Vineyard to New York. Less than 20 minutes later, the plane goes down — leaving only two survivors: a painter who didn't quite fit in with the crew, and a 4-year-old boy who is also the sole heir to his dead parents' vast media fortune. As for what happened that sent the aircraft into a tailspin — well, to find out, you have to go far back before the moment of liftoff.
Image: Grand Central Publishing.
The Trespasser
By Tana French
Out October 14, 2016
Tana French is a master of suspense, and her latest novel is no different from the rest of her canon: brilliant, fast-paced, and an undeniable page-turner you won't be able to put down until the final words have floated across the page.
Detective Antoinette Conway was thrilled to join the murder squad, but the only colleague with whom she feels any connection is her partner, Stephen Moran. Their latest case looks like a lovers' quarrel, but the investigation reveals that there is a lot going on beneath the surface. Every time they think they have it solved, a new loose thread comes to light, and it's up to Antoinette to unravel it until the end.
Image: Viking.
The Luckiest Girl Alive
By Jessica Knoll
Released in 2015
As a teenager at a prestigious high school, Ani FaNelli endured a shocking public humiliation — and became hellbent on self-reinvention. Years later, she's got everything she ever wanted: a killer job, an impressive wardrobe, a handsome fiancé. But she also has a secret — something that, if it came to the surface, could destroy her. But staying silent has its own devastating repercussions. Knoll's novel tackles the dark side to "having it all" — and the cost some women might go to achieve it.
Image: Simon & Schuster.
In Cold Blood
By Truman Capote
Released in 1966
On November 15, 1959, in a small Kansas town, four members of the Clutter family were tortured and murdered in their home. There was never a clear motive, and very few clues. In this masterful reported work, Truman Capote retraces the steps that led to what has become one of the most notorious crimes in American history. Both terrifying and thrilling in the same breath, this book is proof that the most bone-chilling stories are often plucked from real life.
Image: Vintage International.
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It's probably safe to assume Ryan Reynolds isn't sending any nudies to his wife, Blake Lively. Yesterday, the dad — soon to be of two — tweeted about dick pics.
In short: Dick-pic senders are, well, dickheads.
This isn't the first time Reynolds has shared his strong opinion on pecker pics with the world. He also had some choice words back in August.
"I never understand. I've heard of people who are, like, sexting, and they'll send a picture of a penis," he told Conan O'Brien. "I can't think of anything more threatening to send a woman than a picture of a penis."
If people are gross enough to send dick pics, at least have the courage to use a face-swapping app.
Dogs already have a well-deserved reputation for their excellent senses of smell. But their noses are actually so powerful that researchers have started to enlist dogs to help in detecting diseases.
To figure out how, we have to understand the way smell works. It turns out, researchers are still learning a lot about smell. In general, though, it's kind of like this: Receptors in our noses pick up chemicals in the air that our brains interpret as signifying a particular thing — e.g., roses, bananas, or NYC hot garbage. But dogs are able to interpret those signals with smaller amounts of the original chemical than humans require. That, combined with way more chemical receptors in their noses, leaves dogs with much more sensitive odor detection than humans.
Of course, some people do have more sensitive sniffers than others: For instance, researchers at the University of Edinburgh are currently working with Joy Milne, a 65-year-old woman who was able to smell her husband's Parkinson's. She described it as being a particularly odd "musky" stench.
Dogs are particularly interesting to doctors, though, because they can be trained to respond to those smells in certain ways, alerting their owners or medical staff that a patient is about to, say, hit dangerously low blood-sugar levels. So, here are three ways some very, very good doggies are helping out these days:
Superbugs
Disease-causing bacteria are getting better and better at protecting themselves against our strongest antibiotics. One superbug in particular, Clostridium difficile (C. diff) is a major problem for hospitals, where people are often already receiving a hefty dose of antibiotics. Catching C. diff early is a huge deal, because it can quickly become very serious and potentially life-threatening if left untreated.
That's where the dogs come in. The idea of using dogs to detect C. diff seems to have appeared first in the somewhat jokey (but still scientific) Christmas edition of the BMJ in 2012. This study followed the tireless work of Cliff, a 2-year-old beagle who has since retired from the job. But as of this week, there's a new addition to these ranks: A 2-year-old English springer spaniel named Angus who now works in Vancouver General Hospital.
Diabetes
In the case of diabetes, dogs aren't detecting whether or not someone has the disease, but rather when it's about to take a bad turn. In a study published last month in Diabetes Care, researchers learned that right before a sudden drop in blood sugar, diabetics exhale a chemical called isoprene.
It's not clear from this research why they exhale higher amounts of that chemical in particular, which is also normally found in our breath in smaller amounts. But this does suggest a method by which pups — such as Shirley, a labrador in England — can literally smell a hypoglycemic attack before it happens.
Cancer
Dogs appear to have a knack for detecting several types of cancer, including lung, bladder, kidney, and prostate. A U.K. organization, Medical Detection Dogs, is currently investigating dogs' ability to sniff out breast cancer. The way dogs detect these cancers is still up for scientific debate, but the current thinking is that the development of malignant tumors causes the body to release smellable compounds in urine or breath.
Of course, most of this research is still anecdotal and (unfortunately) inconclusive. That means dogs — or technology based on their incredible abilities — aren't going to become primary diagnostic tools anytime soon. But it's clear that they can be still be useful in certain settings, even if it's just by making us feel a little bit better about the world knowing these cuties are out there.
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The process of reading tarot cards dates back to centuries ago. In The Game of Tarot, Michael A. E. Dummett writes that, while the first complete deck appeared in 15th century Italy, using the cards to divine one's future and inner self only came into vogue in France, in the late 1700s. Others suggest that tarot has roots in ancient Egypt (although its supposed source text, the Book of Thoth, offers little evidence of this).
However they got their start, tarot cards are old and mysterious in origin, and they're loaded with meaning. It may take a practiced hand and mind to assess their true significance, but newcomers shouldn't find them inaccessible: In spite of its storied past, tarot reading can be easily adopted — as long as the adopter is ready to learn.
The first step to becoming a competent diviner is to select a tarot deck and connect with it. Touching the cards and using them every day is said to help form this relationship, but there are other, more specific ways to commit yourself to the cards' development. Charging them by leaving them under the sun and moon, sleeping with them under your pillow, and even cleansing them with salt is said to help you get to know your cards.
Whether you're seeking your first taste of spiritual guidance or you just want to expand your collection, there's a tarot deck out there for you. Ahead, we've rounded up some of our favorites. Happy reading.
Langustl Tarot
Named for its designer, Stephan "Langustl" Lange, the Langustl deck is full of playful designs that emulate the traditional meanings of the Major Arcana while putting a unique spin on them. The card shown here is Lange's interpretation of the High Priestess. This deck isn't for beginners, but it'd be a welcome addition to a more seasoned reader's collection.
Photo: Courtesy of Aeclectic Tarot.
Visconti Tarot
This is one of the oldest forms of the complete tarot, and it's said to have been made for one of the first and most enthusiastic tarot players, Bianca Maria Visconti — a woman who was clearly very ahead of her time.
Photo: Courtesy of Aeclectic Tarot.
Aleister Crowley Thoth Tarot
Founded on the idea that tarot came from ancient Egypt, this is a great beginner's deck. To this day, it's still considered one of the most informative and comprehensive takes on tarot.
Photo: Courtesy of Aeclectic Tarot.
Sacred Isle Tarot
This deck is made in the Rider-Waite style, and it's just as popular as the Crowley Thoth deck, if not more so. Again, another great choice if you're just beginning your journey.
Photo: Courtesy of Aeclectic Tarot.
Babylonian Tarot
Although little to nothing is known about the prevalence of tarot in Babylonia, this style demonstrates the universality of the cards' meanings. Symbols like the Chariot, the Sun, and more find their place among the Babylonian, Sumerian, and Mesopotamian myths referenced on the cards.
Photo: Courtesy of Aeclectic Tarot.
DruidCraft Tarot
This specific deck is one of many which draw on Wiccan and Pagan traditions — both are nature-based faiths, to inform the cards' readings. Tarot and nature-based faiths draw on numerology, making their union not just obvious, but particularly harmonious.
Photo: Courtesy of Aeclectic Tarot.
Affirmations for the Everyday Goddess Tarot
Each card is adorned with a motto that speaks to its symbol — the Emperor's reads, "I lead with wisdom, integrity, and virtue," while the Fool's states, "I ask the question and cultivate an open mind." Not only is this deck beautifully designed, with luminous illustrations of powerful women, its accompanying affirmations add another layer of meaning to the reading.
Photo: Courtesy of Aeclectic Tarot.
Ocean Oracle Tarot
You won't find any figures from the Major Arcana in this deck. Instead, each card features a different seashell, its common names, and its symbolic meaning. Bring this deck with you on your next beach trip.
Photo: Courtesy of Aeclectic Tarot.
Victoria Regina Tarot
This deck is perfect for the detail-oriented reader. Created from collages of 19th-century steel engravings, each card has an otherworldly feel to it that warrants a closer, longer look.
Photo: Courtesy of Aeclectic Tarot.
Ghosts & Spirits Tarot
As its name might suggest, this deck lends itself to any readings with a supernatural slant. Whether you're reaching out to a loved one who's passed on or simply exploring what might wait on the other side, the Ghosts and Spirits deck is a beautiful choice for any medium.
Photo: Courtesy of Aeclectic Tarot.
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Earlier this week, Hayden Panettiere was spotted in New York City without her engagement ring on — and the tabloids pounced: Is the wedding off? Panettiere took to Twitter on Thursday to respond to the speculation. The actress shared a photo of herself with fiancé Wladimir Klitschko and their beautiful daughter, Kaya. Panettiere looks glowing and happy in the shot, and she cleared up any rumors about a breakup with the caption. "Missing rings don't mean the end of relationships," she wrote. "Blessed to be with my beautiful family."
Panettiere has been open about her battle with postpartum depression this past year. In October, the Nashville star checked into a treatment facility for the condition. Then in May, she tweeted about seeking holistic treatment for it. That month, ABC announced that Nashville was cancelled. But the series is poised for a comeback after being picked up by CMT — and Panettiere is set to star.
Missing rings don't mean the end of relationships. Blessed to be with my beautiful family 🙏 pic.twitter.com/oCiTK0ziJf
— hayden panettiere (@haydenpanettier) July 7, 2016
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Dry, scaly skin can be kind of a nightmare no matter what the season. So, in the spirit of smoother, ultra-hydrated skin, we put together a list of our favorite hard-working body lotions, old and new. Be warned, though. Sometimes, the most effective products come in not-so-sexy packaging (sorry, Curél). For moisturizers, it's what's on the inside that counts — as opposed to our skin, which is clearly a topical issue.
Click through for the lotions that will go the distance all year 'round.
This meringue-like body oil contains a blend of egg-yolk extract, honey extract, and milk protein, which work together to gently exfoliate and hydrate skin.
Too Cool for School Egg Mousse Body Oil, $25, available at Sephora.
This no-frills moisturizer doesn't contain any skin irritants like chemical dyes, lanolin, fragrance, parabens, or formaldehyde, so feel free to slather this stuff all over.
Vanicream Moisturizing Skin Cream, $11.59, available at Drugstore.com.
This ultra-nourishing moisturizer magically transforms from a meringue-like mousse to a luxurious oil once you rub it in.
Too Cool for School Egg Mousse Body Oil, $25, available at Sephora.
This ultra-rich body butter from Clinique is perfect for your dry problem areas (think elbows and knees), and has an ultra-silky texture so it absorbs quickly into skin.
Clinique Deep Comfort Body Butter, $29.50, available at Clinique.
This absolutely luxurious body soufflé from Mayfair Soup has a combination of cocoa butter and sunflower oil to guarantee extra hydration for your skin. Plus, there is a subtle hint of jasmine and waterlily for the most relaxing scent.
Mayfair Soap Foundry Sea Lily Jasmine Body Souffle, $8.99, available at Target.
If the 10K love tags on Sephora's website is any indication, this Philosophy product is a game changer. It's infused with the brand's Amazing Grace fragrance and includes Godly moisturizing ingredients like shea butter and olive oil.
Philosophy Amazing Grace Firming Body Emulsion, $44, available at Sephora.
This body cream not only moisturizes your skin but also helps tighten and smooth the look of your bod. It's recommended for your back side area — hence the name — but it works wonders all over.
Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream, $45, available at Sephora.
This jar may seem tiny but the whipped body butter it contains is a hydrating superhero. It includes Josie Maran's signature ingredient, argan oil, as well as other key moisturizing agents like shea butter an avocado oil. It also comes in ten different all-natural scents so you can switch up your fragrance of choice whenever you please.
Josie Maran Whipped Argan Oil Body Butter, $35, available at Sephora.
We've been slathering this rich cream — which includes ingredients like rice-plant essence, cupuaçu butter, and fig — over our bod all winter long, and our skin has never felt more moisturized. Bonus points for the heavenly scent and pretty packaging that helps to instantly improve our vanity.
Kenzoki Sensual Bare Body Cream, $48, available at Sephora.
Elizabeth Arden’s classic Eight Hour Cream helps to banish any dryness, tight skin, or flaking you might feel — for a full eight hours, of course. The cream sinks into your skin without a sticky residue, so you can lotion up quickly, get dressed, and get moving.
Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant, $26, available at Elizabeth Arden.
Is your skin flaking off due to the cold air? The Ultra Healing Extra Dry Skin Moisturizer from Jergens will be your savior — the nourishing lotion is packed with vitamins to heal skin and lock in moisture.
Jergens Ultra Healing Extra Dry Skin Moisturizer, $5.94, available at Drugstore.com.
This super-lightweight, yet intensely hydrating cream was created with a blend of essential oils and shea butter to soften skin. Plus, the white-tea extract helps skin look younger by neutralizing any damaging free radicals in the air.
Origins A Perfect World Intensely Hydrating Body Cream with White Tea, $34, available at Sephora.
This super-moisturizing body cream is packed with 25% shea butter, which helps to heal and sooth dry and itchy skin. Translation: When you’ve started to become completely reptilian, this cream’s high concentration of rich ingredients will not only moisturize, but also help to protect against the elements to prevent more dry skin from forming.
L’Occitane Shea Butter Ultra Rich Body Cream, $44, available at Sephora.
It may feel like winter, but the coconut smell of Aveeno's lotion can help you pretend you're on an island vacation.
Aveeno Skin Relief Nourishing Coconut Lotion, $8.37, available at Walmart.
If you love a thicker-textured lotion, look no further.
Ahava Mineral Botanic Rich Body Butter, $30, available at Ahava.
For the most chapped and flaky skin.
Curél Ultra Healing Intensive Lotion, $8.05, available at Soap.com.
This borrowed-from-the-boys body lotion is clutch post-shave.
Jack Black Epic Moisture Extra Rich Body Hydrator, $32, available at Sephora.
Lush's cult-favorite lotion feels like a dream when you smooth it on.
Lush Dream Cream Body Lotion, $27.95, available at Lush.
There's a reason this jar is one of Kiehl's most beloved products. It intensely hydrating and smells delicious.
Kiehl's Creme de Corps Soy Milk & Honey Whipped Body Butter, $48, available at Kiehl's.
The almond oil in this little blue bottle gives a heavy dose of moisture.
Nivea Essentially Enriched Body Lotion, $6.99, available at Ulta Beauty.
This whipped lotion may look heavy, but it melts into skin and feels intensely lightweight.
Votre Vu Tarte D'amande Soufflé Riche Pour Le Corps, $39, available at Votre Vu.
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We all know that getting bumped up to first class can seriously improve a long flight. But how would you feel if your significant other ever left you to fend for yourself in coach, while he (or she) got gourmet meals, legroom for days, and free Champagne in the front of the plane — not just once, but every time you traveled together? According to a story in The Daily Mail, there's a growing number of men who always fly first or business class, while their wives are relegated to coach.
“In my opinion, everyone should travel this way. I think first-class is really rather wonderful — the only way to fly,” businessman Arrun Kumar told The Daily Mail. Everyone except his wife Tina, that is.
When Arrun travels for work, he tacks on a few days at the end of the trip and his wife joins him for a mini vacation. But he always gets a first class ticket in order to focus on work and get a good night’s sleep. Tina on the other hand, flies solo in coach.
“'The first question people ask is always the same: 'Has your husband ever offered to change seats with you?' Hand on heart, he hasn't ever suggested it. It really used to bother me — did he think his comfort was more important than mine? I’ve gotten used to it though,” Tina said.
The Daily Mail has coined the term "economy-class wives" to describe this arrangement, which is, in a word, maddening.
The Kumars aren't the only couple to adopt such a policy when they travel. Husband and wife John and Michelle Sedgemore have a similar arrangement. They flew together in economy class on a vacation in 2001, and according to Michelle, it was a “disaster.”
“John finds economy unbearable,” and “didn't stop moaning and grumbling” for the entire 12 hour flight, Michelle says. Ever since, the Sedgemores have traveled separately, with John flying business while Michelle and the couple's two children fly coach.
Apparently John recognizes he’s gotten the better deal. “Yes, I get treated very well in business class. And if, one day, we can afford it, then I'd love for the whole family to join me there.” But for now, he’s going to keep taking the solo upgrade.
While Michelle, Tina, and the other women quoted in the article are adamant that they do not mind traveling this way, there's just something inherently icky about this. ( The Daily Mail)
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It’s official: the next U.K. prime minister will be a woman.
In a vote this afternoon, Conservative MPs decided on the two candidates they want to run to replace outgoing leader David Cameron.
Mr. Cameron stepped down from the governing party after failing to convince Britain to stay in the European Union last month.
The Refinery29.co.uk news team has been taking a look at the candidates. Here's what you need to know.
Theresa May or Andrea Leadsom will be the next British prime minister. This afternoon, Conservative MPs knocked out Secretary of State for Justice Michael Gove in the second round of voting for the next candidate to lead their party and the country.
This means that on September 9, the U.K. will have its second-ever female PM, after Margaret Thatcher resigned in 1990, which in itself is a tiny progressive step towards gender equality in politics.
But as a BBC journalist helpfully reminded viewers recently, "May and Leadsom may both be women, but they have quite different views."
May is the current favorite by quite a long way and public support for her, particularly among women on social media, seems to have strengthened since Conservative Ken Clarke called her a “bloody difficult woman” on Sky News. By contrast, Leadsom’s CV has been ripped to shreds by the mainstream press.
British voters won't have a say over who becomes the next PM unless unless they're a Conservative party member, but Refinery29.co.uk has taken a look at where the possible future leaders stand on some of the issues most likely to affect women in the U.K.
Both candidates voted for raising undergraduate tuition fees in England to 9,000 pounds per year in 2010. However, May voted against fees in the past while Leadsom has always supported them. Leadsom also voted to end the education maintenance allowance (EMA), which provided financial support to 16-19 year olds in training and further education. May didn’t vote.
Brexit
May backed the campaign to remain in the E.U., but she is Euroskeptic. After the result, she announced that “Brexit means Brexit.” As such, she would work towards Britain leaving the E.U. as PM and she is experienced when it comes to negotiating in Europe, The Guardian reported.
Leadsom was a vocal "Leave" supporter in the run-up to the referendum and believes the U.K. would thrive outside the E.U., a view that makes her an attractive candidate for UKIP. supporters. However, somewhat awkwardly, in the past, she said losing the U.K.'s AAA credit rating would be “seriously bad news ” — something that is now a post-referendum reality.
Jobs
Leadsom once said small businesses shouldn’t have to offer basic rights to their workers, including minimum wage, maternity or paternity rights, unfair dismissal rights, or pension rights. She has voted against funding to secure jobs for long-time unemployed young people.
Gay supporters of May have compared her to a parent who has “come to terms with” her gay child, BBC Newsbeat reported. In the past, she voted against reducing the age of consent for gay people, the repeal of Section 28 (the prohibition of promoting homosexuality by teaching or by publishing material), and civil partnerships. But she voted for equal marriage in 2013 and has a group of gay followers on Twitter.
It’s fair to say Leadsom wouldn’t be a very socially progressive PM. She is staunchly pro-marriage, having written on her personal blog that “marriage IS KEY to the safety of our society” and blaming social problems on single parenthood. But she is less keen on marriage between same-sex couples — she abstained from voting on gay marriage in 2013 and said today that she “didn’t like ” the equal-marriage legislation. She has also implied that straight couples should be ahead of gay couples in the adoption queue.
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There is a long list of narrative constructs from Jacqueline Susann's 1966 novel, Valley of the Dolls, that have aged badly. Among them: abject sexism, including outlandish assumptions about the female brain and body; and the idea that a 30-year-old woman — hell, a 25-year-old woman — is pretty much past her prime. Also, the concept of a "prime." Seriously. What the fuck?
So if you have not yet read the novel, which turns 50 this month (positively ancient by its own standards) here is a thought: Maybe don't.
In a nutshell, Valley of the Dolls is a story about three young women who come to New York City seeking fame, validation, and love — in varying orders of importance. Over the course of nearly 500 pages, they rise through the ranks of the Hollywood's Golden Age, achieving success and acclaim through a cocktail of beauty, talent, scheming, and being in the right place at the right time.
But as they get older, their hard-won successes begin to unravel. The men they love literally leave them for younger models. As the main characters reach the end of their 20s, each wonders what value they still hold. Even when one of the three gets everything she ever wanted, she ultimately finds up that having it all isn't all its cracked up to be, especially when your beloved husband comes with an adultery caveat and your best friend is first in line to stab you in the back.
Less so now, but still: Women routinely receive signals that we are not enough.
Here is where the title comes in: To cope with this mess which is living in their world while female, the women turn to dolls — not the ones that sit, smiling blankly on shelves, though that's a fair mental leap, but the ones that hide out in the bathroom medicine cabinet. Dolls are pills: amphetamines, barbiturates, appetite suppressants; pills to put you to sleep and wake you up and help melt away unwanted weight. (Although, in the world that Susann has created, as in the one where we live in, it often seems that there's no other kind of weight.) Eventually, the women seem to be running on dolls, gulping them down with Scotch and using them to smooth over the jagged edges of existence. They all wind up in the valley, at different depths, and there is an undeniable darkness to the nature of their individual addictions.
Make no mistake, though. Valley of the Dolls is no allegorical social critique or thinly veiled commentary about the mass drugging of American women. It is neither a coming-of-age postscript to Age of Innocence nor a precursor to Prozac Nation. It was crafted to be salacious, to first and foremost fly off shelves, and to help catapult Susann into a circle of fame that she always strived to belong to.
The real genius of this book was mostly in its marketing and in the unpredictable way that its reputation has snowballed toward cult-classic status over the last half-century. I won't deny that it's an entertaining read or that it hasn't earned its status in pop culture — if there was ever a book that embodied the quintessence of "beach read," this is it. It's just that, personally, I believe that life is too short to spend time on middling literature. So, perhaps go another route: Choose something truly great, instead.
Nevertheless, while I won't make the case that you must read Valley of the Dolls, that doesn't negate the fact that — intentionally or otherwise (and let's be honest, it wasn't intentional) — there are lessons to be gleaned from the contents of this otherwise frivolous novel about what happens when a bar is set too high to reach.
Less so now, but still : Women routinely receive signals that we are not enough. The messages come from glossy magazines, porn, media critiques of aging celebrity faces, and advertisements that insist that there are flaws to be fixed and anecdotes for aging; that age itself is something to treat. Sometimes, it seems impossible to keep up — and that's where the dolls come in, in one form or another: dolls to make you sleep, dolls to wake you up, dolls to keep you thin. But in life, as in Valley of the Dolls, the real problem with the dolls, the pills, is that they never cure the real problem festering under the surface. They only mask the symptoms.
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Bake your bacon and eggs into personal cups for your next breakfast party. Cook Time: 15 MinutesYield:Makes 4
Ingredients
8 slices bacon
4 eggs
Recipe Instructions
Preheat the oven to 400°F. Partially cook the bacon in the microwave on a paper-towel lined plate for 3.5 minutes. The bacon should still be bendable.
Let cool to the touch, then curl 2 bacon strips around the inside of 4 cupcake tin wells.
Gently crack an egg into each cup and cook until the egg is set and the bacon is crisp; about 10-15 minutes. Remove from the tins with a spoon or spatula.
In 2007, Ishita Malaviya tried surfing for the first time and fell in love with the sport. She founded the Shaka Surf Club in Kodi Bengre, India, with boyfriend and fellow surfer Tushar Pathiyan in the same year.
"We couldn’t imagine moving back to the city, doing a 9-to-5 job and being unable to surf every day," Malaviya, who was previously living in Manipal, India, told Refinery29 in an email. "We wanted to live the surfer’s dream."
Since then, the couple has made the club their second home and imbued countless students of all ages with their love of surfing. As for Malaviya, she's undeniably a trailblazer in a very male-dominated sport, which is still pretty new to India.
"For the longest time, I was the only woman out in [the] water," she said. "It was definitely intimidating for me at the start."
As India's first professional female surfer, Malaviya has made it her personal mission to get young girls from the surrounding villages "stoked" about surfing.
"The ocean is mostly considered a place for the men," she explained. "The women stay at home while the fishermen go out to sea...I feel so blessed to be able to share the joys of being in the ocean with my fellow womenfolk."
To get a closer look at all of the cool things Malaviya and the girls of the Shaka Surf Club are doing, we sent a photographer to Kodi Bengre to capture them in action. Click through to see the photos and read more from Malaviya.
When they began, Malaviya said she and Pathiyan shared a board, since they couldn't afford two. When they started the club, one of the first things they realized was that they "would need more boards."
Photographed by Allison Joyce.
"Knowing how difficult it was for us, we didn’t want the locals to miss out on the opportunity to surf due to financial reasons," Malaviya said. "Hence, our surf school supports the free surfing of all the kids in the village."
Photographed by Allison Joyce.
"Initially, our parents were quite apprehensive of our unconventional decision," Malaviya (pictured) said. "However, the universe kept sending us signs, showing us we were on the right path and that motivated us to keep following our passion."
Photographed by Allison Joyce.
When asked what she loves most about surfing, Malaviya said, "It makes me feel like a child again."
Photographed by Allison Joyce.
"I feel like as a woman in India, you’re sometimes forced to grow up too soon," Malaviya said.
Photographed by Allison Joyce.
"Surfing brought back that element of play in my life and gave me a sense of freedom and liberation that I didn’t know I was seeking, but desperately needed," Malaviya (pictured) said.
Photographed by Allison Joyce.
"I encourage people to surf for its immense potential to bring joy and healing by developing a deep connection with the ocean," Malaviya said.
Photographed by Allison Joyce.
"I go to the sea for silence, solitude, and reflection. The greatest lessons I have learned from the ocean are that of humility, patience, oneness, and learning to just go with the flow," Malaviya (pictured) said.
Photographed by Allison Joyce.
"It’s important to not let yourself be limited by fear," Malaviya (pictured) said. "Whenever I’m out in scary surf conditions, I always take a moment to visualize myself riding the wave perfectly from start to finish. It helps me calm down and believe in myself."
Photographed by Allison Joyce.
"When I started surfing back in 2007, you could literally Google 'surfing in India' and nothing would show up," Malaviya (pictured) said. "There were so few surfers, we could count them all on our fingertips. Even now, we have a relatively small surf community here in India. We’re a tribe of a few hundred surfers, scattered all over the east and west coasts, but it’s our love for the sea that brings us together."
Photographed by Allison Joyce.
"With more and more people starting to surf, I just hope that the spirit of aloha and brotherhood is never lost and people continue to support one another in and out of the water," Malaviya (pictured) said.
Photographed by Allison Joyce.
"It’s in the expanse of the sea that I find me and my worries to be very small," Malaviya (pictured) said.
Photographed by Allison Joyce.
"Keep on paddling, even if it means facing defeat every once in a while, because I know there will always be another wave coming," Malaviya (pictured) said.
Photographed by Allison Joyce.
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Makeup fanatics are obsessed with Beautyblenders, which you likely know from reading R29. (We count ourselves as members of that club.) It's a staple in most experts' bags, and, even if you've never used one yourself, you can likely identify the small, pink sponge in a lineup. We've already told you how to use your Beautyblender to its maximum potential, but have you ever wondered how to properly clean it? Well, wonder no more, because YouTube vlogger NikkieTutorials has supplied us with some key pointers.
First, wet your Beautyblender. Next, rub the sponge onto your soap of choice (some sponges come with their own cleansers, but any bar will do). Using your thumbs, squeeze out the excess dirt and soap ever so gently. Rinse and repeat until all of the stains are gone. Dry with a towel and, voilà, you've got a clean little beauty egg. It might seem like a tedious task to some, but it's time we're willing to put in to avoid finding tiny critters or unwanted dirt setting up shop in our sponges.
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After the fatal shootings of two Black men, Alton Sterling and Philando Castile, by law enforcement were caught on video this week, many are speaking out against police brutality on the African-American community. Today, Beyoncé's website features the singer's own call to action. It begins, "We are sick and tired of the killings of young men and women in our communities. It is up to us to take a stand and demand they 'stop killing us.' We don't need sympathy. We need everyone to respect our lives."
The powerful statement goes on to explain that the battle against police brutality is one everyone should be fighting, "no matter your race, gender, or sexual orientation."
And if the post inspires you to action, Beyoncé has paved the way for fans to take the first step. The singer included a link to a site that will help you contact your congress representatives, as well as links to contact Louisiana and Minnesota's legislatures directly to protest the deaths of Sterling and Castile. Beyoncé concluded the post by saying that if you reach out to the politicians who represent you, "Your voice will be heard."
Sometimes, when we're sick of fussy clothing, fast fashion trends, and jacked-up pricing, nothing feeds our style craving quite like beelining to the men's section and stocking up on some packs of simple tees and perfectly oversized sweats (thank goodness for athleisure, right?).
Lately, the notion of agender clothing has been embraced by high-end designers who have created items that blur the line between what's considered "men's" and what's considered "women's." But, save for Zara's brief experiment with the concept, it hasn't exactly been made readily available at a lower price point. So, when we saw menswear basics brand Nephews, which launched back in 2015 with the mission of quality essentials at an honest price, dropping a limited-edition unisex line, we wasted no time stocking up.
In collaboration with YouTuber Luca Fersko, whose minimal-yet-streetwear-focused style has racked up over 230,000 subscribers on the platform, the selection of staples features tees and trousers at prices that won't have you dipping into your savings account. For us, it's the subtle design elements — like the mockneck and wide-neck details and slim, cropped trousers — that have us sold (and the fact that everything is around $30 to $50).
Click on to refresh your stash of basics while you still can, and in the meantime, we'll be hoping more brands are turned on to this genderless aesthetic — it sure would make getting dressed in the morning a breeze.
Luca Fersko x Nephews Long-sleeve Tee, $34, available at Nephews.
Luca Fersko x Nephews Long-sleeve Tee, $34, available at Nephews.
Luca Fersko x Nephews Wide-neck Tee, $32, available at Nephews.
Luca Fersko x Nephews Wide-neck Tee, $32, available at Nephews.
Luca Fersko x Nephews Cropped Pant, $98, available at Nephews.
Luca Fersko x Nephews Cropped Pant, $98, available at Nephews.
Luca Fersko x Nephews Mock-neck Sweatshirt, $45, available at Nephews.
Luca Fersko x Nephews Mock-neck Sweatshirt, $45, available at Nephews.
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